imperial court of nebraska
Through fundraising, we educate and support those in need within
the GLBTS community throughout Nebraska and our realm.
The Imperial Court of Nebraska, a 501c3 organization, has served the LGBTS community for over 28 years. Since it's inception on July 15, 1980, ICON has raised approximately $1,000,000.00 for charities.
ICON proudly continues dynamic efforts to raise money through various fund-raising events each year to benefit organizations such as the Nebraska AIDS Project, American Cancer Society, River City Gender Alliance, Rainbow Outreach Resource Center, Pediatric AIDS, P-Flag and Proud Horizons.
The "Cooking With Royalty" cookbooks
are finally in and ready to be purchased.
Proceeds from the book sales will go to
provide food to persons affected by
HIV/AIDS. Click HERE for more details!
The Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation
A 501 (C) 3 Organization
Donations made to the ICON Foundation are tax
deductible to the extend permitted by law.
2010 (C) Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation. All rights reserved
reign xxix
Lord Gary Winingham
& Lady TreyVana
Baron Rob Hickman &
Baroness Corinna Edwards
Czar Tony Green &
Czarina Susan Davis
Princess Mystic DeLite
Prince Yoshi - Not Pictured
Grand Duke Cupid &
Grand Duchess Lady D'Vore
Emperor Paco &
Empress Holly Day
Prince Royale Shwn Shea
& Princess Royale Chandler
Grand Czar Leo Jarecke
& Grand Czarina Mama Barry
Duke Kyle Baun &
Duchess Wendy Dey
Lord Randy Meidl
Lady Reyna del Mundo
(Not Pictured)
Lord Jeramiah Morello
& Lady Robbi Jean Baker
The
Royal Family
of
Reign XXIX
Photos by Christopher Tucker
upcoming events
$40,170.96 Year-To-Date
-- January 16 - E&E Ball - $1,204.00
December 29 - Imperial Russia - $1,535.00 --
-- December 14 - Toyz 4 Totz - $4,313.50
November 13 - Foreplay - $460.00 --
-- November 8 - Food 4 Thought - $4,314.00
November 10 - Blazing Saddle Beer Bust - $430.00 --
-- November 8 - Jeremiah's Birthday Spanking $60.00
November 7 - Thanksgiving Dinner - $220.00 --
-- November 1 - Building Bridges - $771.00
October 29 - Rocky Horror Picture Show - $181.50 --
-- October 28 - A Yoshi Birthday BBQ - $86.00
October 17 - All About The Boys & 1 Diva - $831.00 --
-- October 11 - Erase The Hate - $1,195.00
October 10 - AWARENESS Searching For a Cure - $1,070.00 --
-- October 3 - MAX Turn-A-Bout - $551.00
September 12 - Twilight Supper - $1,316.00 --
-- September 7 - Labor Day Picnic - $6227.38
September 6 - Hats Off - $784.00 --
-- August 15 - Imperial Birthday Bash - $530.00
August 8 - Investiture - $1,005.00 --
-- July 12 - Victory Show - $531.00
July 12 - Victory Brunch - $1,100.00 --
SnoBall 2010
Trick Ponies & Yellow Snow Cones
Not Your Typical $3.00 Joy Ride
Join Empress 25 Lana Caine and Princess Royale 27 Teagan Thomas as they host ICON's annual event with special local and out of town guests.
Saturday, March 13th
6:00PM Doors - 7:00PM Show
The MAX
70s & 80s
Boogie Nights
Princess Royale 29 Chandler and Lord 29 Jeremiah host an evening of retro fun!
9:00PM
Flixx Show Bar
A Benefit For
MCC-Omaha
D&D Gayla
Absolutely Fabulous
Lights, Cameras & Guests Lists
The Dukes and Duchess of Reign 29 host this 4th annual event!
Saturday, March 20th
Proud Horizons
Closet Ball 2010
Omaha's Got Talent
Join Nikki West as she turns over the crown to Omaha's next great entertainer! Download your application below.
Sunday, April 11th
closetball2010appoutside
closetball2010appinside
PR Ball 2010
The Giant &
The Hobbit
Prince Royale 29 Shawn and Princess Royale 29 Chandler host an evening of entertainers.
Saturday, May 8th
6PM Doors - 7PM Show
The MAX Arena
Mark Your Calendars
APRIL
Sunday the 4th Trey Vana presents...
A Birthday Show
Saturday the 24th Mama Jan presents...
Mama Jan's All Star Revue
Saturday the 24th Emperor Paco presents...
The Emperor's Turn-A-Bout Show
MAY
Saturday the 15th Corinna presents...
Are You There, God, It's Me, Corinna
DONATE
gallery
about us
The Imperial Court of Nebraska (ICON) is a unique group within an international network of organizations which have been founded with a common goal.
These "Courts" are individual social and community service organizations bound together in shared structure, policies and goals. When the Court System originated in San Francisco, California, in 1965, it was intended mainly for "camp" fun. From that beginning we derived our camp titles '"Emperor & Empress, Prince & Princess", and so forth--as well as our major annual gala function--our Coronation.
The Court System is truly international. With Courts throughout the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, and now in the United Kingdom, each court is in essence, a chapter of the International Organization.
As representatives of our Courts, our primary goals are:
*to further relationships with businesses and organizations within our local communities
*to hold functions and fundraisers to benefit the communities
*to help those in the community who are in need of our assistance.
*Each year our organization contributes tens of thousands of dollars to local community
services as well as to National and International causes such as the Pink Ribbon Campaign.
In addition to some of the other positive aspects of the Court System, perhaps the best is that our organization is open to everyone. Our membership is made up of every aspect of society including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual. A person's gender, lifestyle or mode of dress has no bearing on being a member of the court "family."
The Imperial Court of Nebraska has served the LGBTS community for over 27 years. Since its inception on July 15th, 1980, ICON has raised approximately $1,000,000 dollars for charities within our realm and across the country.
The first few years of ICON fund-raising efforts benefited the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Jerry's Kids needed money and it was ICON to the rescue.
HIV/AIDS did not hit Omaha, Nebraska, until around Reign 3. It was during this Reign that Emperor Ken Dillard and Empress Toadie Lee Marvelous started raising money to combat HIV/AIDS. Not long after, what we now know as the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) was born!
ICON proudly continues dynamic efforts to raise money. Being one the oldest organizations in the state, we hold various fund-raising events each year to help benefit organizations such as the Nebraska AIDS Project, American Cancer Society, River City Gender Alliance, Rainbow Outreach GLBT Resource Center, Pediatric AIDS Research, P-FLAG, NGLTF, HRC, Family Pride Coalition, NAMES Project, and many, many more!
Included amongst our many annual events are:
* Closet Ball where new talent is founded and placed on stage for the first time.
* Labor Day and Memorial Day Picnics, two of the communities favorite events. Come rain ir shine,
everyone in the community gathers to celebrate/
* Food 4 Thought in which our Monarchs host a major fund-raiser to purchase food vouchers for families
affected with HIV/AIDS.
* Toyz 4 Totz where our Monarchs and the Royal Family raise money and purchase toys for children
affected by HIV/AIDS.
Many of these events were started during particular Reigns throughout our history. Each member of our College of Monarchs along with members of their Royal Family added to the history of our organization.
imperial
family
tree
Reign I
Emperor Gary West & Empress Dolly
Reign II
Reign III
Emperor Ken Dillard & Empress Toadie
Reign IV
Emperor Gary West & Empress Velvet
Reign V
Emperor Gary West & Empress Laura Lee
ICON organized the first Pride Parade and began fundraising for research into the emerging epidemic that would become known as AIDS.
Reign VI
Emperor Pat Phalen &
Empress Veronica o'Rourke
Reign VII
Emperor Dick Brown & Empress Velvet
Reign VIII
Emperor Gary West &
Empress Danielle Logan
Reign IX
ICON once again had three monarchs. The elected monarchs included Emperor Joe Reed, Empress Forte de Sade, and Athena Deb. The Empress position was a challenging one this reign, as Forte quickly yielded the position to Gabrielle, who then yielded the title to Felice Whitney.
Emperor Joe Reed, Emperor Carla Peterson
& Empress Felice Whitney
And in the fall, Athena Deb resigned and the Lady Royale, Carla Petersen, was elevated by the Board to Athena II. Coronation 10 A New Wave at the Warehouse in Carter Lake was small but had its share of excitement when the DJs table collapsed mid-coronation and everyone went scrambling to rescue the equipment.
Reign X
Emperor Gerald Brown
& Empress Erica DeVane
Gerald Brown and Erica de Vane marked the first time an African American was elected.
Reign XI
Emperor Gerald Brown,
Emperor Tami Griffith
& Empress Mae O'Naise
Once again the Imperial Court of Nebraska found itself with an additional emperor.
Reign XII
Emperor Steve Koeller,
Empress Phoenix Fallentino
& Empress Tami Griffith
Tami was again elected as Athena and was joined in the monarchy by Emperor Steve Koeller and Empress Phoenix Fallentino. During this reign ICON gained great visibility through the many, many miles of travel logged by Phoenix. Coronation was held at the Ramada Inn on 72nd St.---the Holiday Inn had rejected our contract because they were a family business, and we didnt fit their definition of family. No one who attended this coronation could forget the memorable moments from the ships deck!
Reign XIII
ICON had its first elected female Emperor in Connie Henke. She was joined by Empress Roxy. They stepped down in the swirling colors of A Chinese New Year Celebration.
Emperor Connie Henke & Empress Roxy
Reign XIV
Emperor David Hansen
David Hansen, who had run unsuccessfully four times for Emperor was elected overwhelmingly by the people. Joining him as Empress was May ONaise, who served her second terms as an ICON Empress. One of the most memorable charitable events of the year was the wheelchair drive. Reign 14 found and refurbished over 20 wheelchairs for clients of the Nebraska AIDS Project. Coronation 15 a ho-down of sorts was held back at the Airport Ramada Inn and featured a special guest, Nicole the Great.
Reign XV
Emperor Annie Welty
& Empress Josephine Williams
ICON elected its second female Emperor Annie Welty and our first Lincoln Empress Brooke. Brooke resigned before completing the reign and Annie ended the year with Josephine as her Empress. Annie and the ICON Board traveled to Lincoln to prepare Thanksgiving Dinner for the Lincoln clients of the Nebraska AIDS Project. This year also marked the first fund-raising efforts for Breast Cancer.
Reign XVI
Emperor Royal Bush
& Empress Phoenix Fallentino
Emperor Royal Bush and Empress Phoenix Fallentino represented ICON across the country as they quickly became ICONs most-traveled monarchs. The Board did away with the Athena title and retitled the existing Athenas during this reign, giving them recognition on the court circuit. The ICON Foundation was established, as well as the Iris Phoenix Scholarship Fund. Coronation brought us to The Paxton. No one will forget moving the boat up to second floor and our unexpected Coronation guests! ICON led the entire GLBT community in fund raising for the Martin Luther King Memorial that was to be built at 24th & Lake. Qualifications for members led to a paid membership system that ICON used for the next few years.
Reign XVII
Emperor Jeff McKenzie
& Empress Sharon Van Butsel
ICON elected its first lesbian Empress, Sharon Van Butsel. Jeff McKenzie reigned with her as Emperor. This reign brought us a new project in doing a monthly luncheon at Nebraska AIDS Project, and it brought us the Not So Gay States Pageant. An early October blizzard highlighted this reign. Coronation was at the OPPD Atriumour first no-smoking facility and a leaky roof right over the sound equipment. This Coronation featured our first Bus Tour!
Reign XVIII
Empress Montana
Emperor Dan Mathew and Empress Montana began the year with great enthusiasm. Dan, however, stepped down shortly after the new year and Montana completed the reign alone. She brought ICON a new fund raising charity: The Nebraska Humane Society. Even today one can see the bricks ICON bought as they financed their newest facility. Coronation brought us to yet another location: Sokol Hall, where it continued to be held through Reign 23. We held our first brunch at Progressive ParkCoronation weekend fell over the 4th of July! The Widow Norton, aka Jose, founder of the International Court System came to Omaha for the first time.
Reign XIX
Emperor Michael Lyons
& Empress Laura Lee
With Laura Lee Lyons as Empress and Michael Lyons as Emperor, the court reveled in nostalgia as Laura Lee brought many old time friends of the court back to support the reign.
Reign XX
Emperor Paco & Empress Feleena Katz
Reign XXI
Empress And More
Emperor Tom Aeschilman and Empress Stella Dallas were elected, but both stepped down within months of assuming their titles. The Board replaced them with Princess Royale And More and Prince Royale Matt Finken. Matt would later ask to have his titles and affiliations with ICON removed.
Reign XXII
Empress Lita de la Guardia
Lita de la Guardia begin and ended the reign as our sole monarchEmpress. Sharon Van Butsel was named Queen Mother to the Court and served with King Father Don Randolph, who had had that title since ICONs first years. Our Empress was quite pregnant for her stepdown (some Iowans claimed he was an heir to the ICI throne, but Nebraskans knew better), but all were touched by her familys support as Litas mother sang the National Anthem and her son Michel escorted her in her final walk.
Reign XXIII
Emperor Don "Flowers" Randolph
& Empress Monroe
With the appointment of King Father Don Randolph as Regent Emperor, the ICON Board adopted a new annual charity event in the Night of 1000 Stars. Don and Empress Monroe made up the monarchy during this reign. Once again, ICON moved the Coronation Ball. This time, we found a home at The Doubletree Hotel.
Reign XXIV
Emperor Micheal Lyons
& Empress Crystal DeLight
Reign XXV
Emperor Dan Knobbe
& Empress Lana Caine
As Emperor Dan and Empress Lana took the reigns of ICON's 25th Anniversary year, ICON itself began the process of reorganizing. The Imperial Court of Nebraska, Inc was disolved and replaced by The Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation making ICON a fully operating 501(c)3 organization in the state of Nebraska. Many other changes were to follow.
Reign XXVI
Michele became the first straight empress of ICON.
During the reign of Emperor Andrew the 1st and Empress Michele, The Widow Norton, Empress I Jose and founder of the International Court System stepped aside and handed over control to Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas.
Emperor Andrew the 1st
& Empress Michele Korman
Nicole the Great introduced many changes to the International Court System including the appointment of new Heirs and the formation of a Parliment which will give the individual Courts a say in the way the Internation Court System is ran.
During all these changes, Empress Michele of Nebraska was named as an Heir and Nicole the Great visited Omaha during Coronation 27.
Reign XXVII
Emperor Thomas
& Empress Madeline Feinstien
Once again, the Monarchs set new standards in fundraising for ICON. Nicole the Great, Queen Mother of the Americas, attended the Coronation 28 festivities giving out 3 titles to members of ICON. Jennifer Jett became the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement awards presented by Nicole during Coronation. Over 19 courts from across the country attended during the weekend.
Reign XXVIII
Emperor Gary and Empress Misty took the lead in fundraising by being the first Reign to top the $10,000.00 mark for Toyz 4 Totz. Coronation 29 was once again attended by Nicole the Great and Heirs Apparent Michael Gaffney, Dyna Mite and the newest member Michael Lyons.
Emperor Gary Allinger
& Empress Misty Stokes
Sharon van Butsel, Carla Peterson and Don Randolph recieved Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedication to the Imperial Court System. Jan Ritterbush, Sally Presby and Lana Caine were inducted into the Order of the Double Eagle by Nicole over the weekend and MCC-Omaha was recognized for their service to the community.
Emperor Paco Perez
& Empress Holly Day
History in the making...
King Father, Don "Flowers" Randolph
Queen Mother, Sharon Van Butsel
Prince Royale & Princess Royale
Reign Prince Royale Princess Royale Lady Royale
I Norma Bunny Lynn
II Lafayette
III Wayne Stone Muffy Rosenburg
IV David Hansen Lisa Durant
V Ron Minobe Misty Leigh
VI Terry Sweeney Lisa Durant
VII Terry Sweeney Katrina Kane
VIII Scott Rezek Anne Marlow
IX Dean Michon Heidi Hess
X Dean Michon Sabrina Golightly
XI Scott Rezek Phoenix Fallentino Kim Stuhr
XII Donna Hoden Melissa Morgan
XIII Michael Gaffney Monica West
XIV Hugh Farrell Brooke Owens
XV Gary Frazier Red Essence
XVI Jim Gau Sharon Van Butsel
XVII Dan Mathew Valerie Vortex
XVIII Michael Lyons Monica West
XIX Roger Duitsman Stella Dallas
XX Steve Von Seggern Michele Korman
XXI Annette Moeller
XXII Monroe
XXIII Bruce Bufkin Ro-Bust
XXIV Andrew Janzen Jewels
XXV Thomas Jennifer Jett
XXVI Larry Fritcher Marsha Mellow
XXVII Jeremy Johnson Teagan Thomas
XXVIII Mark Ledbetter Macy Riley
XXIX Shawn Shea Chandler
In Memory
Empress I & II Dolly
Emperor III Ken Dillard
Empress III Toadie Le-Marvelous
Empress V & XIX Laura Lee Lyons
Mother to All Athenas JoJo Morrison
Prince Royale III Wayne Stone
Princess Royale III Bunny Lynne
Prince Royale 8 & 11 Scott Rezek
Prince Royale IX & X Dean Michon
Prince Royale XX Steve Von Seggern
president
lana caine
vice-president
teagan thomas
secretary
andrew the 1st
treasurer
james lunbeck
member
bob bucklew
jan ritterbush
jennifer jett
madeline feinstien
emperor
paco perez
empress
holly day
alternate-parlaimentarian
lady d'vore
parlaimentarian
don randolph
The following documents are copies of the Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation By-Laws and Standard Operating Procedures. (SOPs). The SOPs are updated on a regular basis and those noted on this webite may not be the most recent edition. These are intended for public knowledge and remain the written property of the Imperial Court of Nebraska Foundation.
To download a copy of these articles, click the icon below.
SOPs
By-Laws
501c3
Function Reciept
Show Booking Form
The Imperial Court of Nebraska meets the third Monday of Every month at the Rainbow Outreach Resource Center at 17th and Leavenworth in Omaha, NE. Meetings start at 7:15PM and are open to the public. The mailing address for the Imperial Court of Nebraska is:
The Imperial Court of Nebrasla
PO Box 3772
Omaha, NE 68103
Feel free to e-mail mambers of the Board of governors:
President, Lana Caine ICONEmpressXXV_aol.com
Vice-President, Teagan Thomas JaeLaska_gmail.com
Secretary, Andrew Janzen ICONXXVI_yahoo.com
Treasurer, James Lunbeck RainbowBoys_cox.net
Member, Jennifer Jett Boans17_hotmail.com
Member, Madeline Feinstien JGMarlet_cox.net
Member, Jan Ritterbush Sixpkgranny_hotmail.com
Member, Bob Bucklew Kenoyhouse_cox.net
Empress, Holly Day MDLrxx_aol.com
Emperor, Paco Perez Omaha694u_aol.com
For event and booking information please contact, Event Coordinator, Madeline Feinstien at above e-mail address.
news
Reign XXIX Off To A Good Start 8/17/09
Emperor 29 Paco and Empress 29 are off to a good start raising over $3,000.00 in their first month as Nebraska's newest titleholders.
They have invested a wonderful Royal Family who has numerous fund raising events planned for the upcoming year, and not just your typical shows either!
Keep an eye out for upcoming events!
iris phoenix scholarship
The Iris Phoenix Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 by Empress 16 Phoenix Fallentino to provide scholarships for individuals who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or as children of gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered persons. The first scholarships were given out during Coronation 17 in 1997.
Each year there will be at least one scholarship awarded in each category (gay, lesbian, bi, transgendered or child of a GLBT person) in which there are applicants who meet established criteria. The total number and the dollar amount of the scholarships will be determined by the Scholarship Committee
based on the number of successful applicants and the funds available for distribution.
Equal consideration will be given to any program of post-high school education, including but not limited to college, technical, and trade schools. Monies from the Scholarship Fund may be used for tuition, housing, books,
and/or supplies (copy of contract or lease may be required).
Recipients must enroll in a program of higher education within 6 months of
the announcement of the award. All monies awarded must be used within
one calendar year of the award or the money will revert to the Scholarship
Fund and, at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee, may be awarded
to other applicants or may be held for future use.
coronation xxx
Coronation XXX
Diamonds Are Forever
"A Black Tie Affair"
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Proud Host Of The
2010 ICC Conference
Thursday, July 8, 2010
In-Town Show
7:00PM
Location TBD
Come in a day early and help Emperor 29 Paco and Empress 29 Holly Day as they thank the Royal family of Reign 29, local and state titleholders who have helped them throughout the year.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Out-of-Town Show & Command Auction
7:00PM - 9:30PM $10.00
The MAX - 1417 Jackson Street
Music for Out-of-Town Show will be collected at 6:00 PM. Preference will be given to Reigning Monarchs, Reigning PR's then past Monarchs. Two performances per court guaranteed, additional performances offered time permitting. Please have all music marked with your name on the CD.
Bus Tour
10:00PM - 1:00AM
Wristband given at Out-Of-Town Show will get you on Bus Tour
and into Hospitality Friday evening.
Doors & Appetizers - 6:00PM
Coronation - 7:00PM
$40.00
TipTop Ballroom - 1502 Cumming Street
Formal Attire Requested
Command Performances Limited To 5 Minutes
NO Bare Breasts, Bare Buttocks, Confetti Or Helium Balloons
Proper ID Required At All Venues
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Victory Brunch
11:00AM - $25.00
TipTop Ballroom East - 1502 Cumming Street
Join the Monarchs of Reign 29 as they present their
final awards and the Monarchs of Reign 30
as they announce their Titles and Themes.
Hospitality
Noon - 4:00PM
12:30AM - 3:00AM
10:00AM - 3:00PM
(Protocol Noon - 3:00PM)
30 Minutes Following Coronation - 3:00AM
Hampton Inn & Suites
1212 Cumming Street
Ticket Information
Out-Of-Town Show & Bus Tour - $10.00
Coronation XXX - $40.00
Victory Brunch - $25.00
Package Deals Available
Please Check Back For More Details
Advertising Rates
Full Page (7 1/2"x9 1/2") $110.00
Half Page (7 1/2"x4 11/16") $80.00
Quarter Page (3 11/16"x4 11/16") $55.00
Business card (3 11/16"x2 5/16") $40.00
All Images must be Minimum 300 DPI
And in PDF or JPG Format Only
All Ads And Payments Must Be Recieved
By Friday, June 18, 2010
Check Back For Additional Details
Host Hotel & Accomodations
2 Queen Beds - $109.00/NT
1 King Bed - $109.00/NT
Booking Deadline Is June 24, 2010
Click Link Below To Book Your Accomodations
Book Your Hotel
Out-of-Town Show
Tickets
Advertising
Host Hotel
ICC Conference
condom show
